DOI: 10.33714/masteb.1919465 ISSN: 2147-9666

AIS-based ship emission inventory and emission intensity indicators for the Port of Mersin (Eastern Mediterranean)

Özkan Akar
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Maritime transport is an important source of air pollution in port cities due to exhaust emissions generated during ship operations, particularly during cruising, manoeuvring, and hotelling phases. In this study, a ship emission inventory for the Port of Mersin (Eastern Mediterranean, Türkiye) was developed using AIS-based ship activity data and an activity-based bottom-up emission calculation approach. Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM) were estimated for the period 2015–2019 based on ship types and operational phases. The results showed that total emissions during the study period reached 15,132 tons of NOX, 8,125 tons of SO2, 816,406 tons of CO2, 2,089 tons of CO, 741 tons of HC, and 1,194 tons of PM. Container vessels were identified as the dominant emission source, accounting for 55.6% of total emissions, followed by Ro-Ro passenger and general cargo vessels. The analysis of operational phases indicated that cruising and hotelling were the major contributors to total emissions, with hotelling emissions being particularly significant due to continuous auxiliary engine operation at berth. In addition to total emissions, emission intensity indicators per ship call, per ton of cargo handled, and per TEU were evaluated to assess the environmental performance of port operations. The results indicated that emission intensity increased between 2015 and 2017 and decreased in the following years, suggesting improved emission efficiency relative to cargo throughput. The findings provide important information for emission management, environmental planning, and sustainable port development in Türkiye and the Eastern Mediterranean region.

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